NBA’s aging star system

On December 12, the Lakers played against the Rockets away from home.

Walton did not arrange any rest for this game, but played against the Rockets with the entire main lineup, hoping to test the Rockets' ins and outs.

Because the last time they played against the Rockets was at the beginning of the season. At that time, the Rockets' lineup was not complete, and the Lakers' lineup was not fully integrated.

Now that both sides are in full condition, they naturally want to have a head-on confrontation to see what their strength is.

The Rockets' starting lineup is Paul, Harden, Gordon, PJ Tucker, and Capela.

The Rockets' three-guard lineup is full of mobility, but it does have a height disadvantage.

The Lakers' starting lineup is still Su Tian, ​​Butler, Ingram, George, and Nance.

The game started soon. There is no doubt that this game is the highlight of the Western Conference, and the league has naturally arranged a national live broadcast.

The right to attack was undoubtedly snatched by the Rockets. Paul got the ball and advanced with it. Su Tian stood at the top of the arc and stared at Paul.

With Su Tian watching over Paul, other Lakers players can feel more at ease.

As for Harden, there is no doubt that Butler is responsible for defense.

After Paul came to the frontcourt with the ball, he did not launch an attack rashly, because Paul clearly felt that Su Tian's defensive pressure on him was much greater than before.

Facing such an oppressive defense, even Paul had to be cautious, so while Paul controlled the ball, he reached out and called Capela to step forward to pick and roll.

Paul wanted to break through directly with the help of the pick-and-roll, but Su Tian's speed around the pick-and-roll was too fast for Paul to get rid of. In desperation, Paul had to pass the ball to Capela first.

Then he tried to use Capela's body to play a hand-off tactic. As a result, when Capela passed the ball to Paul, Su Tian accurately captured the gap at that moment. Su Tian quickly attacked and directly stole the ball. !

After successfully stealing the ball, Su Tian directly held the ball and launched a fast break. Paul wanted to turn around and chase, but Paul's old arms and legs simply couldn't catch up with Su Tian.

Su Tian dunked easily with both hands.

2-0

The Lakers successfully stole the ball and counterattacked right from the start, which directly boosted the morale of the visiting Lakers players.

The Rockets had no choice but to organize an offense again. Although Paul was defeated by Su Tian, ​​the Rockets' star player was not Paul, but Harden.

So this time Paul came to the frontcourt with the ball and passed the ball directly to Harden.

Harden got the ball and the triple threat started to test Butler's defensive focus.

After the test, Harden started his signature crotch dribbling. After continuous crotch dribbling, he suddenly broke out and broke through from Butler's right side.

Butler also reacted quickly and followed Harden closely, but because he was afraid of Harden's foul, he did not dare to reach out and interfere, but just raised his hand high.

The two came all the way to the basket. Harden leaned against Butler and shot for a layup. Butler saw the right moment and jumped up to block the shot.

But then I heard a sound,

"what!"

"drop--"

Harden finally drew the foul and walked to the free throw line with a nonchalant expression.

Butler was a little emotional and went to the referee to say something.

Upon seeing this, Su Tian immediately stepped forward and pulled Butler away to avoid being called for a technical foul.

Harden was on the free throw line and made two free throws.

2-2

The ball possession changed and it was the Lakers' turn to attack.

Su Tian advanced to the frontcourt with the ball, and Paul directly went up to grab it. Seeing that Paul was so active in defense, Su Tian turned sideways, protecting the ball while pushing Paul towards the inside.

No matter in terms of height, weight or strength, Paul was at a disadvantage against Su Tian, ​​and was beaten all the way to the low position by Su Tian.

After reaching the low post, Su Tian directly held the ball and turned his back, and then shot a fadeaway jumper.

Swah——

Su Tian's fadeaway jumper hit easily, and Paul had no way to deal with Su Tian's style of play.

"Su is clearly bullying others," Buckley said with a smile.

"Paul is indeed at a disadvantage in terms of height, but the other Rockets didn't help defend. It would be too difficult for Paul to defend alone."

At this time the score reached 4-2, and the Rockets attacked again.

It was Harden who still held the ball. This time Harden tested and then stepped back and shot a three-pointer.

But it's a pity that Butler reacted quickly, Harden missed the hit, and the basketball was hit hard.

George took advantage of the opportunity to grab the rebound and directly held the ball to encourage the fast break.

At this time, the advantage of the Rockets' three-guard lineup was revealed. They retreated very quickly, and the Lakers had no choice but to fall into position again.

Seeing that the fast break couldn't start, George had no choice but to slow down and wait for his teammates to come to the frontcourt before organizing the attack again.

After a period of exquisite cooperation from the Lakers, Butler ran out for an air-cutting opportunity. George quickly passed the ball to Butler. Butler received the ball and went straight for a layup, making an easy hit.

6-2

The Lakers' integrity was fully demonstrated, and the three of Su Tian all performed differently.

In the next few rounds, the Rockets concentrated most of the ball in the hands of Harden and Gordon. It was not that Paul had changed his mind, but that Su Tian's defense was too tight and it was difficult for Paul to maintain normal passing. control and organization.

Half a quarter later, the Lakers firmly held a 6-point lead, and the Rockets took the lead in making substitutions.

There is no doubt about the substitution this time. Paul went off to rest and Gordon came to the No. 1 position.

Before Paul left the field, Gordon was still secretly laughing at Paul.

The old guys are already like this, so stop sitting in the trap and retire as soon as possible.

But when Gordon and Su Tian faced off, Gordon truly felt the pressure of Su Tian's defense.

Regarding Su Tian's defense, Gordon could only describe it in two words: suffocation.

But fortunately, in this lineup, Gordon is not the core of the team to begin with, Harden is the core of this lineup.

So under the leadership of Harden, the Rockets feel like they want to chase points.

One minute before the end of the first quarter, Harden hit a three-pointer, and the score difference came to 1 points.

At this time, Harden was already a little out of breath. After all, Butler's defense was also full of intensity. If Harden hadn't cooperated with the technique of drawing fouls, he wouldn't have been able to survive now.

The ball was given to the Lakers again, and Su Tian advanced to the frontcourt with the ball.

Calling Wood to step forward for a pick-and-roll, Su Tian made a three-pointer without hesitation with the help of the pick-and-roll.

Swah——

Su Tian's three-pointer hit directly, and the score difference reached 5 points again.

There was not much time left at this time, so the Rockets served quickly, and Harden immediately advanced to the frontcourt after getting the ball.

After arriving in the frontcourt, there was only a slight pause, and then he directly held the ball and attacked the basket.

Su Tian on the side looked at Butler, who was battling with Harden, and suddenly started to move, rushing towards Harden, directly forming a double team!

Su Tian's double-team came too suddenly, and Harden was a little confused for a moment, so Su Tian took the opportunity to take action and steal it!

Su Tian's reaction was very quick. After stealing the ball, he immediately turned around and started a fast break.